by Brian Major
Last updated: 2:35 PM ET, Mon April 24, 2023
MSC Cruises’ 4,500-passenger MSC Meraviglia’s April 22 launch of Bahamas and Florida, Canada and New England, and Bermuda cruises from the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal inaugurated the New York cruise market’s sole year-round service.
MSC Meraviglia’s deployment will create “a sizeable and ongoing economic impact to the region,” said MSC officials in a statement.
The ship will bring more than 200,000 domestic and international visitors to New York annually, according to Cruise Lines International Association and NYC Economic Development Corporation data.
MSC Meraviglia’s Brooklyn-departing itineraries will target a combination of the operator’s traditional European-American passenger base and millions of Northeast-based cruise vacationers, who will enjoy a new regional drive-to port option.
“Greater New York right the whole northeast is important to us, said Reuben Rodriguez, MSC USA’s president, “but especially New York. [New Yorkers] tend to buy longer cruises they tend to buy their cruises farther out,” he said.
“New Yorkers are a little farther ahead than the average and they tend to travel internationally more,” continued Rodriguez. “So not only are they booking Caribbean cruises, they're booking [international] cruises.
Rodriguez said New York area cruise vacationers also “Tend to buy better cabins, generally suites and Yacht Club [accommodations]. “So New Yorkers aren't just a great target audience for us.”
Diverse Itineraries
MSC Meraviglia will sail to the Bahamas and Florida on seven-day to 11-night sailings calling at Miami and Port Canaveral, Florida; Cozumel and Costa Maya, Mexico and Nassau and MSC’s Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve in the Bahamas.
Beginning in August, the ship embarks on five- and six-night sailings to Kings Wharf, Bermuda. The ship will spend several days in port, enabling guests to tour the island extensively.
This fall, MSC Meraviglia will offer 10- and 11-night cruises to Newport, R.I., Boston and Portland, Me. plus Saint John, Halifax, Charlottetown and Sydney, Canada.
Launched in 2016, the 171,598-ton MSC Meraviglia is a mainstream market mega-vessel featuring extensive indoor and outdoor facilities and amenities, including a large pool deck with a retractable roof.
A shipboard entertainment area is equipped with a full-sized, two-lane bowling alley, an interactive XD cinema, a flight simulator, a video game arcade and an MSC Formula Racer.
An indoor sportsplex space features a full-sized court for basketball, tennis, squash, volleyball, pickle ball, mini golf and five-to-a-side soccer. Other outdoor facilities include pools and hot tubs, an expansive water park featuring three twisting slides, and the Himalayan Bridge, an intricate ropes course.
MSC Meraviglia’s MSC Yacht Club accommodations feature upscale “ship within a ship” amenities, facilities and services, including butler service and an exclusive restaurant, lounge, and pool area.
Other interior highlights include the Galleria Meraviglia, a promenade extending 315 feet and lined with shops, restaurants and bars, topped with an LED sky screen ceiling.
Dining and beverage options include 12 restaurants including the Butcher’s Cut steakhouse, the HOLA! Tacos and Cantina eatery, and the Kaito Sushi and Teppanyaki restaurants.
The ship’s MSC Aurea Spa provides massage therapy, body treatments, facial treatments, and offers a dedicated thermal area. MSC Meraviglia’s 6,000-square-foot gym features state-of-the-art equipment and overlooks the main pool deck from floor-to-ceiling glass windows.
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